This summer, Derrick White, guard for the Boston Celtics, faced unexpected dental work after a collision during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. While diving for a loose ball, he hit his head on the floor, resulting in a chipped tooth and two others that became loose.
In time for Boston’s championship parade, White managed to secure temporary teeth but intended to have them replaced later in the summer. However, his plans changed when he was called up to represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics. With little time to address his dental issues before flying to Paris, White expressed his concerns about playing with the temporary teeth. “I got the temporary ones for the championship parade, and then I was supposed to get them fixed, and then I got the Olympics call. So I was nervous the whole time that my teeth were gonna fall out during the Olympics,” he shared with NBC Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
After returning from the Olympics, White finally had the chance to fix his dental issues, undergoing three root canals and spending about eight hours in the dentist’s chair over two visits. “But great people in the dentist’s office there. They are taking good care of me,” he noted, appreciating the support from his dental team.
Interestingly, White was not initially on the Team USA roster. He stepped in for Kawhi Leonard after the Los Angeles Clippers star withdrew due to knee inflammation that had sidelined him for the final eight games of the 2023-24 NBA season. White received the call while in Colorado, where he was preparing for a family trip to Cabo.
During Team USA’s gold-medal run, White averaged 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, making a notable impact on the court despite his dental worries.
Now equipped with new teeth, White is gearing up for the 2024-25 season, where the Celtics aim to defend their title as NBA champions.
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